Despite popular belief, the best high-school education doesn't always come from a private school. In fact, several of America's best public high schools offer top-level academics — without the five-figure tuition cost.

Niche ranked the schools' academics by key factors like state assessment proficiency, performance on the SAT/ACT, and student and parent academic survey responses for 23,780 public high schools across the US. You can read the full methodology here.

Read on for the 50 smartest public high schools in the US.

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50. BASIS Tucson North

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Location: Tucson, Arizona

Average SAT score: 1420

Average ACT score: 32

"The teachers are amazing," commented a junior. "Every teacher wants each student to succeed and works their best to help them achieve their success everyday."

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49. Blue Valley North High School

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Location: Overland Park, Kansas

Average SAT score: 1400

Average ACT score: 30

Many students lauded Blue Valley North High School for its faculty support.

"Teachers strive to ensure every student comprehends class material comprehensively and will never turn away a student with questions," said a senior. "Counselors and school staff will help students with anything from personal problems to advice about preparation for standardized tests."

Another student added, "They go beyond their official roles, often contributing and benefiting the social culture built in and around the school."

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48. University High Scool

University High School is rich in both academics and extracurriculars.

"Not only does this school challenge me academically, but socially too," said a sophomore. "University High School offers rich extracurricular courses such as: performing arts, debate club, local service outreaches and more!"

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47. Vernon Hills High School

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Location: Vernon Hills, Illinois

Average SAT score: 1320

Average ACT score: 29

When it comes to Vernon Hills High School, "It's beautiful how everyone is striving towards their dreams and working to achieve their goals, and meet others whose fates intertwine with theirs along the journey," said one student.

"A lot of the teachers also attempt to deviate from the standard way of teaching, opting to make each class a little bit different from the other," added a senior.

46. Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Students agreed that teachers offer a lot of support and guidance at Governor's School for Science & Mathematics.

"The smaller class sizes at GSSM mean that each student gets more individual attention from teachers and the opportunity to be much more engaged in class," commented a senior.

"The workload is crazy, but teachers are almost always available after hours for tutoring, and there are tutoring centers open from 8-10 every weeknight," added a junior.

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45. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South

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Location: West Windsor, New Jersey

Average SAT score: 1390

Average ACT score: 32

"If you want to immerse yourself in a culturally diverse, spirited, and academically driven environment,then this is the place for you," said a junior.

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44. Jones College Prep High School

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Location: Chicago, Illinois

Average SAT score: 1310

Average ACT score: 29

"Because the school is college preparatory, the counselors really focus on early applications to colleges and for scholarships," said one Niche user. "The academics are very understandable and provide a good platform for upward mobility in terms of class selection."

42. Troy High School

"Although the academic courses I took were very rigorous, I have never regretted taking them because they gave me a strong work ethic and allowed me to develop a passion for learning," they said.

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41. Westlake High School

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Location: Austin, Texas

Average SAT score: 1330

Average ACT score: 30

"Classes are college prep level. Instructors are highly qualified and motivated to inspire students. A large portion of the school are taking multiple AP classes," commented a Westlake senior.

"Everyone is super competitive. Students sometimes correct the teachers because they are that smart," claimed a Niche user.

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40. Academic Magnet High School

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Location: North Charleston, South Carolina

Average SAT score: 1370

Average ACT score: 32

Two seniors reported that Academic Magnet High School's curriculum is challenging. "The classes offered are all either honors or AP level. This school focuses on the AP program and requires all students to complete at least four AP courses," explained a Niche user.

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39. West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School

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Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

Average SAT score: 1350

Average ACT score: 32

"I love how supportive the teachers are," wrote a Niche user. "They always try to help you with academics, no matter how difficult."

"The material is very challenging and fast-spaced, especially in honors courses," added another user.

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38. New Trier Township High School

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Location: Winnetka, Illinois

Average SAT score: 1350

Average ACT score: 30

A Niche user said the academics are wide ranging at New Trier, with a variety of AP classes offered. Plus, "the school has a policy that teachers can only give tests on certain days depending which department you work in, this spreads out all the test taking throughout the week," they added.

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37. Carnegie Vanguard High School

"If you like small schools, Carnegie is a great school to look at," said a senior. "Not only is it one of the top schools in Houston Independent School District, the culture that Carnegie has is really unique."

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36. Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School

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Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Average SAT score: 1300

Average ACT score: 30

"McNair is not just exceptional in the realm of academics, but there is a sense of community that you cannot find at any other school," wrote one former student.

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35. DuPont Manual High School

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Location: Louisville, Kentucky

Average SAT score: 1380

Average ACT score: 29

"Our school is full of diversity, in appearance and thought!" commented a senior. "It is a very competitive environment, but that only fuels more hard work and determination."

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34. Jericho Senior High School

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Location: Jericho, New York

Average SAT score: 1380

Average ACT score: 30

"Jericho's academics are top tier, and it shows from all the students' hard work," commented a senior.

"The teachers really care about the students, and try [their] hardest to teach everything they can," a junior added.

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33. The Early College at Guilford

"At the Early College at Guilford (ECG) we speed up our curriculum so as to complete two years of high school in one year," explained a senior. Then, "after we have completed our high school curriculum in two years, we are allowed to take college classes at the affiliated college, Guilford College."

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32. Benjamin Franklin High School

"Ben Franklin has really prepared me academically for college, and I think that with such rigorous course work, it pays off," commented one student. "The diversity exceeds any other school in New Orleans, and this really helps students understand the concept of accepting different cultures within a community."

According to one senior, "Any student who can make it through four years at MATES is not only set for college, but most likely for their life."

While they deemed MATES a rigorous high scool with a strenuous course load of high-level courses, they said, "There's few high schools that could prepare you better for college. You're surrounded by driven, intelligent students who have a strong passion for learning and performing exceptionally, as well as teachers with years of experience in the fields they teach that allow for much greater in-depth study."

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30. Poolesville High School

Poolesville is a magnet high school with a "variety of programs including the Science Math and Computer Science Magnet, the Global Ecology Magnet, and the Humanities Magnet, as well as the Independent Studies House, everyone at Poolesville gets a rigorous and challenging education," said a senior.

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29. Raleigh Charter High School

"The classes that Raleigh Charter offers are very relevant to everyone's career paths and the teachers teach comparatively to college professors," said one junior. "That collegiate style of teaching prepares students for the teaching style of college."

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28. Great Neck South High School

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Location: Great Neck, New York

Average SAT score: 1370

Average ACT score: 30

"Great Neck South High School offers many interesting classes. Students can join regents level classes, honors level classes, or AP level classes," said a senior.

According to one senior, "the curriculum for many classes is changing to become more common-core based and generally they're created to parallel standardized tests."

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27. School for the Talented & Gifted

One Niche user praised TAG's quality academic environment. "Although the stress sometimes is absolutely awful, you forget how smart you are because you're in an environment which is entirely made up of smart people and is very competitive," the person said.

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26. Charter School of Wilmington

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Location: Wilmington, Delaware

Average SAT score: 1350

Average ACT score: 31

"The students are provided a challenging curriculum and they are well prepared for college after four years of study," said a Charter School of Wilmington parent. "The workload is tough but can be managed along with participation in after school activities."

24. Conestoga Senior High School

"Conestoga's focus upon their students' academic excellence and capabilities shaped me to be determined to face any challenges later in life," wrote one junior.

"Conestoga is supportive, inclusive, and adaptable to the various levels of their students' needs," said another student. "Students are offered different levels of courses and can choose the level that best supports their strengths and (weaknesses) courses that they may find more challenging."

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23. School of Science & Engineering

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Location: Dallas, Texas

Average SAT score: 1350

Average ACT score: 31

"Overall, the teachers are really invested in the education of their students and really care to see their students be successful later in life," said one Niche user. "Almost all of the teachers and really well-educated and extremely qualified in their fields of study."

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22. Townsend Harris High School

"Though sometimes challenging to keep up with the schoolwork, my experience at Townsend Harris has been phenomenal," commented a senior. "The environment overall is very mellow, as teachers challenge students to think critically and pursue their own questions, all while taking the time to warmly talk about school events and getting involved in student life."

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21. Henry M. Gunn High School

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Location: Palo Alto, California

Average SAT score: 1410

Average ACT score: 32

"Great teachers and a real push by the entire school and student body of everyone trying to do their best," reported a Gunn High School senior. "[It] makes the environment very stressful however it is also a thriving learning environment."

19. Union County Magnet High School

Students applauded Union County Magnet High School for its tight-knit community and diversity.

"Union County Magnet High School is a diverse but tight-knit community of brilliant faculty and students," commented one student. "Class sizes are small, and you really get to know everyone you meet."

"It's very diverse here and people are accepting of all races and backgrounds," added another.

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18. High Technology High School

Twitter/High Technology HS

Location: Lincroft, New Jersey

Average SAT score: 1510

Average ACT score: 34

"The school is unique in that starting in freshman year and continuing onward students are required to take college level courses in Engineering (through Project lead the Way curriculum)," explained an HTHS senior.

"This school will transform almost anyone into an overachiever. The air is slightly competitive with high expectations," said another.

17. Bronx High School of Science

While many students found the curriculum demanding, they also thought there were plenty of opportunities and resources.

The workload is demanding and engaging, and the extracurriculars are beyond compare," said one junior. "It's a challenge but the community and teachers help me at every turn! Everyone here has something about which they're passionate about, and you have so many opportunities to find your own passion."

15. Maggie Walker Governor's School

Many students loved the freedom and responsibility Maggie Walker Governor's School entrusts in its students.

"One of the best parts of the school is the environment of trust and the amount of freedom and independence students have because of the honor code," wrote one sophomore. "Also, all of the 75+ clubs at the school are run by students. While our school is well known for its academics, we also have a superb athletic program."

14. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

"Academics are held to an incredibly high standard. ... Rather than trying to outsmart the student next to us, we work together to outperform other schools," said a Niche user.

"The workload can be stressful but it is preparing you for college," added another.

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13. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology (GSMST)

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Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Average SAT score: 1350

Average ACT score: 31

GSMST has a STEM-focused curriculum that many commenters called rigorous but top-notch.

"You have to study, you have to ask questions, you have to prepared for your lessons," said a Niche user. "GSMST challenges you, it challenges all types of students whether you were a genius in middle school or not."

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12. Bergen County Academies

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Location: Hackensack, New Jersey

Average SAT score: 1450

Average ACT score: 33

Challenging academics define BCA, according to commenters. The school is "rigorous and intellectually challenging," said one Niche user. "Some classes will leave you drained but inundated with knowledge, which is much, much more rewarding than it sounds."

10. Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science

Nothing compares to Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science's offerings, according to one student. "The quality of the faculty and students and the resources available...make this school unparalleled in the vast opportunities it present to those fortunate to attend," they said.

8. Northside College Preparatory High School

Northside academics are "amazing," according to a junior. "I always feel challenged in my courses, but also feel confident that I will succeed. Northside makes it so that as long as you are actively engaged in your learning you can achieve highly which I think is important."

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7. BASIS Scottsdale

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Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Average SAT score: 1470

Average ACT score: 34

"The students who go here are mostly highly self-motivated and smart. Most of them manage on their own," said a Basis senior.

According to another senior, "many students achieve a much higher education than many of their peers from other schools," thanks to a large selection of AP classes.

5. Staten Island Technical High School

"This high school has given me and so many other students many opportunities to find their niche and excel in it whether it be in the academics, theatrical drama, or just the many competitions in general," commented one junior.

"The best part of this high school is the methodology for college preparation," added a Niche user. "Every teacher strives to make students be better accommodated for the college workload and process."

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4. Stuyvesant High School

"It's an environment filled with so many amazing people, both students and teachers that I've considered my second family," wrote one senior. "It's been a phenomenal four years for me here, and I honestly cannot imagine my life anywhere else."

"Stuyvesant High School offers an immense number of opportunities to explore a diverse range of interests, from academics to athletics and the arts," added another.

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3. Walter Payton College Prep

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Location: Chicago, Illinois

Average SAT score: 1390

Average ACT score: 31

"Classes are interesting and eye-opening for the most part, though they are certainly demanding and consume much of a student's free time," said a junior. "Students come into Payton recognizing that they will be working hard for the next four years, and this is certainly no lie."

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2. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

"The quality of STEM instruction at this school is incomparable," said a Niche user.

"Math, science, and tech labs are extensive. The hardest classes are well into the college range ... Seniors get to pursue subjects they are genuinely interested in, and finish projects by the end of the year," commented one senior.